Current Issues in ChiropracTIC – Katie May

As the thought leader in the chiropractic profession Life University is pleased to provide important details, analysis and interpretation of current events and issues in and around the chiropractic community.

We have designed this page on the Life University website – and here – to be a resource for you and your colleagues. Please feel free to make use of the information provided–with appropriate attribution when indicated. In addition please feel free to share this information with anyone concerned about the issues and events discussed by Life University.

THE KATIE MAY DISCUSSION

FROM PRESIDENT RIEKEMAN

The media coverage we are experiencing regarding Ms. Katie May’s tragic death is not unlike related events in our past. The reporting is tinged with fear, expresses foggy science, misrepresents facts and includes personal emotions and political agendas. In some cases, the Coroner’s references for example, outright inaccuracies have been expressed. Unfortunately, by the time all of this is ferreted-out the public relations damage is done.

There are three stages to our response as a profession…

ONE:

The immediate response to the media and the lack of research and fair reporting.There were some excellent responses from our colleagues, colleges, insurance providers and researchers. I want to personally thank them for how they represented us and the pride we have for the chiropractic profession.

WE HAVE ORGANIZED THE BEST OF THESE RESPONSES TO ALLOW YOU EASY ACCESS TO THEM FOR YOUR OWN KNOWLEDGE AND TO HELP YOU ADDRESS YOUR PATIENTS’ QUESTIONS.

TWO:

Prepare for the new expressions of concern and media activity.New information will continue to become available for some time. The first round of acute media attention has subsided, but, there are likely more articles coming in magazines and journals as well as opinion pieces related to this situation. We need to get our ducks lined up and be proactive. As more information comes out we will likely find details that serve to lessen a focus on chiropractic care as the cause of the initial problem.

LIFE UNIVERSITY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR RELATED EVENTS AS THEY EVOLVE AND KEEP YOU UPDATED.

THREE:

Finally, we need to make sure we are clinically and academically prepared for this and future events/questions.

TO THIS END WE HAVE ASKED LIFE UNIVERSITY’S DR. GERRY CLUM TO PROVIDE A SEMINAR/WEBINAR TYPE PRESENTATION SO YOU CAN SHARPEN YOUR CLINICAL UNDERSTANDING AND EXPERTISE WITH RESPECT TO CERVICAL SPINE ADJUSTING AND ARTERIAL ISSUES.

Life University will continue to work with others in our profession on this issue and you can always come back to Today’s Chiropractic Leadership (TCL) magazine/web site for new/accurate information.

One last suggestion….don’t get drawn into requests from the media for your response/reaction to these matters unless you have had media training. You don’t want to expose yourself to the potential to have your words misused to abuse you and to distort your intentions.